Israel’s Elbit Systems has unveiled the latest member of its Hermes uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) family. The Hermes 650 Spark is a multirole UAV designed with tactical versatility in mind—as well as low operating costs. The company says it already has secured one customer on contract, and flight trials commenced in the first quarter of 2023. Full-scale production is about one year away.
Unlike previous Hermes UAVs, the 650 has a front-mounted tractor powerplant. The manufacturer hasn't disclosed the engine model, but it is rated at 120 hp. Elbit describes the Hermes 650 as deliberately “over-powered” to give it greater tactical flexibility, such as an ability to dash to the operational area at relatively high speed—up to 120 knots—before slowing to a loiter speed of 55 knots. The extra power confers good short-field performance on the type, and the aircraft can take off with as little as 200 meters of runway. Its landing run measures about 800 meters.
The Hermes 650 is a 650-kilogram-mtow (1,400 pounds) vehicle with a 260-kilogram (570 pounds) useful payload. It can accommodate a variety of payloads, with the Spectro XR electro-optical turret and AES 211 electronic support/measures/intelligence system being typical fits. It carries two sensor-carrying points under the fuselage and two underwing hardpoints. Lightweight antenna fairings can attach to the wingtips. In one proposed configuration the underwing pylons can carry air-droppable life rafts for maritime search and rescue missions.
The Hermes 650 fully complies with NATO STANAG 4671 requirements, and its open architecture facilitates the integration of new payloads and systems. The air vehicle includes various sensors that allow—with the use of artificial intelligence—predictive maintenance scheduling to help reduce operating costs.